Trek Kilar Cheni Pass Chamba - Himachal Pradesh, Adventure Tourism

An alternative way back over the Pir Panjal from the Chandra-Bhaga to Chamba, this pass lies a few Km SE of the Sach. It is more strenuous and less frequented, taking 4-5days from Kilar to Trela roadhead in Chamba Valley. A Guide should be hired at Sach Khas or Kilar.

DAY-1

Kilar-Sach Khas (2256m) 13 Km. As in Chamba-Sach Pass-Pangi Valley trek.

DAY-2

Sach Khas-Mindal-Rail (2710m) 14 Km For Cheni Pass the trail turns E and climbs for 4 Km to Manihar where a shepherds' path comes in over a high ridge from Dunai on the Sach Pass route. Continue steepy SW over rocks and boulders along the Cheri Nala, past a watermill, to Rail camp ground near the snout of Khuriond Paddar glacier under the pass.

DAY-3

Rail-Cheni Pass-Marotu Got (3220m) 16Km The trail ascends over stones, then over an icefield and glacier to the pass. Rewarding views to the NE and W. Initially the descent on the other side is very steep, on snow and round precipitous cliffs. A cave shelter is passed before coming to Marotu camp ground.

DAY-4

Marotu Got-Devi Kothi-Trela (1870m) 16 Km - Two trails go down to Trela; one via Chandru (S), the other via Devi Kothi (SW); the latter is easier. Go down the stream coming from the pass for 6Km; then quit it, climb a rocky slope and subsequently descend to Devi Kothi (2300m.) A temple built in the 8th century, called Chamunda, is seen here. A forest rest house for stay. Onwards, a descent of 2h leads to Trela; bus to Chamba in 74 Km.

Chamba-Sach Pass-Kishtwar --

After crossing the pass (see above), continuation N to Kishtwar is quite hard and not particularly interesting, especially beyond Dharwas in Pangi Valley. From Brindabani to Gulhar bus terminus is about 90 Km with another 30 Km to Kishtwar.

DAY-5

Dunai-Dharwas (2422m) 17Km - Coming down from Sach Pass (qv), Dunai to Brindabani is a short easy stage of 8Km. About 1Km after Brindabani (2712m) the trail crosses Dhedha Nala and follows the Nala to its left (W) and drops down gently to the Chandra-Bhaga river is crossed by a wire pulley called Ghurguru (Ghareru) by local people. This is a good place to stop and refresh youself before crossing the river; eating shop. on the oppsite (N) side the path climbs steeply for 30 min to join the main Kilar-Kishtwar trail. Proceed NW on a comfortable level stage for about6km, then turn right (E), traverising a cliff where 2Km, has been chiselled out of a perpendicular rock face. Lujai Nala is crossed about 200m before Dharwas. This little village has a comfortable PWD rest house and a small provision shop. It may not be out of place to say that the rest houses beyond Dharwas, as we enter the Jammu region, are rough, dirty, dingy and the attendants most unhelpful.

Note - From Dharwas an adventurous and rarely-tired tough journey head NE along the Lujai Nala, upstream to cross the scenic Sersank Pass (5234m) and Poat La (5715m), and descends to Padam in the Zanskar region.

DAY-6

Dharwas-Ishtyari (Tham) (2440m) 16Km Start early in the morning because it gets uncomfortably hot as the sun rises; fill water bottles. The trail ascends gently for some time and crosses Sansari Nala which forms the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. After that a tiring climb of 2h ensues over treeless rocky slopes, going down from a ridge, suddenly a small spring of clear water, as most trekkers develop rashes all over the body after drinking it! From here the trail rises and falls many times for 6Km to reach Ishtyari village. The rest house is at Tham, 2Km ahead.

DAY-7

Tham-Shol (2200m) 14 Km The trail descends to Urgiar Nala and onward down to Kaban Nala, then a few ascents and decsents to Shol village on a green slope in the prettiest site en route. Sapphire mines and a richly carved temple are situated in and around Shol.

DAY-8

Shol-Atholi (2245m) 12 Km Follow a mule track with a few ups and downs and glimpses of water falls on the way. Aholi is in two parts;Gulagarh is situated on the N bank of the Chandra-Bhaga. This whole region is known as Paddar. Atholi, on the S Bank, is a biggish town with many shops and a PWD rest house; it serves as a departure point for several popular trails heading over passes to the NE.

DAY-9

Atholi-Sasho (2135m) 16 Km a fairly level walk along the left bank of the Chandra-Bhaga leads in 8Km to trenala; tea shop. Ups and downs for another 8Km to Sasho; eating shop and a forest resthouse, which is good and clean.

DAY-10

Sasho-Gulhar (1700m) 18Km The trail rises and falls several times along the Chandra-Bhaga to Lidradi (2040m) in 10Km; resting place and a few eating shops with rough sleeping. A rock shelter can be found on the far side of the Lidradi Nala. Gulhar bus terminus lies 8Km ahead; forest rest house one Km before this. A road is being constructed towards Ishtyari to link it with Kishtwar. Many eating shops in Gulhar. Bus service Gulhar-Kishtwar (30Km). In Kishtwar, comfortable PWD rest house anda few cheap hotels. This big town is situated on a plateau overlooking the Chandra-Bhaga (here called Chenab river). Long-distance buses for Jammu, Pathankot and Srinagar via Batot on the Pathankot - Srinagar highway.

|Trek -I| Chamba-Sach Pass-Pangi Valley (hard)

|Trek -II| Kilar-Cheni Pass-Chamba (hard)

|Trek -III| Chamba-Marwa Pass; to Pangi Valley (strenuous)

|Trek -IV| A few side treks in Pangi Valley (easy)

|Trek -V| Brahmaur-Chobia Pass; to Lahaul Valley (strenuous)

|Trek -VI| Brahmaur-Kugti Pass; to Lahaul Valley (strenuous)

|Trek -VII| Brahmaur-Manimahesh Lake; in Chamba Valley (easy)

|Trek -VIII| Holi-Bara Bangahal-Thamsar Pass; to Kangra Valley

|Trek -IX| Bara Bangahal-Kaliheni (Sagor) Pass-Manali (strenuous)

Principal Peaks & Passes in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal is a paradise for walkers, trekkers, hikers, skiers, rafters, climbers and mountaineers. Innumerable treks originate or culminate in the beautiful valleys of Kullu and Manali. There are several peaks in Himachal Pradesh that challenge the mountaineers. Main peaks in Dhauladhar range are Mun (4610 m), Toral (4686 m), Dromedary (4553 m) and Riflehorn (4400 m). Kinnaur & Spiti Region has Leo Pargial (6791 m.)

Hotels in Himachal Pradesh +Tours To Himachal Pradesh